Holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle

ABSTRACT

A holster-tool for holding a water hose with a trigger spray nozzle to a user&#39;s belt. A first embodiment of the holster-tool includes a central base portion for the nozzle to lie against, a pair of belt clips formed from the upper portions of the base to engage the belt of the user, a retaining channel formed from the base at the forward part of the base to hold the barrel of the spray nozzle and a retaining channel formed from the base at the rearward part to hold the handle of the trigger spray nozzle. The base extends downward to below the water connector on the trigger spray nozzle. The second embodiment includes a belt clip formed from the upper portions of the base to engage the belt of the user, a lower retaining channel formed from the lower portion of the base to engage the hose near a spray nozzle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This present invention relates generally to package and article carrier device and more specifically to a holder or holster attaching to a belt encircling the torso for temporary storage for attaching carrier to bearer adapted and sized to receive a water hose trigger spray nozzle with attached water supply hose.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Various types of holders and holster assemblies designed for specific purposes are well known or have been proposed for holding various articles in a desired position or location. These items generally include specific features for their intended object to be carried coupled with a means to attach, either temporary or permanently to a belt or means surrounding the torso of the intended bearer.

[0005] The applicant is aware of the following U.S. Patens: PATENT NUMBER ISSUE DATE INVENTOR 5,097,997 Mar. 24, 1992 Kipnis et al 5,232,136 Aug. 3, 1993 Unger 5,452,829 Sep. 26, 1995 King et al 5,573,167 Nov. 12, 1996 Bebb et al 5,611,471 Mar. 18, 1997 French 5,749,507 May. 12, 1998 Wood

[0006] The manner in which these holsters are used depends upon the function, comfort and object of these tool holders.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] My garden tool is a holster-tool for carrying a water hose trigger spray nozzle with hose attached to the belt of the user. The holster-tool is used by attaching or clipping to a belt or tool belt that surrounds the torso of the user. It temporary receives, grasps and protects the spray nozzle to free the hands yet maintains the water hose trigger spray nozzle within an arm reach.

[0008] My invention features advantageous folds and loop channels designed into a substrate such as plastic or sheet metal designed to grasp and retain a water spray trigger nozzle at the barrel to orient the nozzle forward, with the handle of the water hose trigger spray nozzle downward and the hose down and rearward. Another modification of my invention, grasps the water hose near the, trigger spray nozzle.

[0009] To use, both embodiments of my holster-tool attache to the user's garment belt. For both embodiments, the water hose trigger spray nozzle is retrieved from the holster-tool with one hand when desired and then replaced into the holster-tool when desired. The holster tool is ideal to carry a water hose trigger spray nozzle with attached water hose to areas where the user needs both hands, such as to climb a ladder to get to areas of a room or to clean rain gutters and the like. The water hose is connected to the base of the handle of the water hose trigger spray nozzle, retained by holster-tool while the user climbs the ladder using both hands providing safety. The holster-tool also becomes convenient during gardening when spot watering is desired or when other tools must be carried to the areas where water from the nozzle is also desired. By using this invention the water hose trigger spray nozzle with attached hose may be carried with the user where ever the length of the water supply hose permits.

[0010] Without my holster-tool, the user must carry a water hose trigger spray nozzle with a hand. The lack of both hands interferes with many activities and often the user must place the water hose trigger spray nozzle onto the ground or elsewhere in order to use both hands.

[0011] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a means to grasp and carry a water hose trigger spray nozzle attached to a water supply line without use of the hands.

[0012] More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a tool that is removable attached to a tool belt or clothing belt adapted specifically to receive, grasp and retain a water hose trigger spray nozzle with attached hose.

[0013] It is also an object to provide an assembly wherein a water hose trigger spray nozzle with water hose attached which may be safely carried within the reach of an attached hose, yet be small, comfortable, easy to fabricate, simple and elegant in design and function.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to attain the foregoing objects which is sufficiently durable to withstand routine handling of use in working environments.

[0015] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective of my holster in use.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective of my holster shown in FIG. 1.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective of another version of my holster in use.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective of the version of the holster shown in FIG. 3

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020]FIG. 1 features a water hose trigger spray nozzle 2 seated in my holster 1 with the handle oriented downwards and the spray nozzle barrel forwardly oriented. A water hose 5 connects to the bottom of the handle portion of the assembly at 6. The other end of the hose 5 connects to a water supply (not shown) to feed a supply of water through the trigger spray nozzle assembly 2 and out the barrel. The assembly 2 directs the application of water from the barrel applied to a desired location or target according to the wishes and needs of the user. The typical trigger spray nozzle assembly 2 comprises, generally a handle means 3, behind the nozzle area, downwardly oriented to a base, the forward portion of the handle having molded indentations for fingers 4, a rearward water control lever 7 is pivotally attached to the upper portion of the spray handle 8. The movement of the lever 7 controls the amount of water passing though the assembly 2 from the forward oriented nozzle 9. A limit means 10 rearward to and attached through the upper portion of the assembly 2 constricts movement to lever 7 to the assembly enables the user to set controllable water flow limits by the range of movement of lever 7, and thus the amount of water that will flow from assembly 2 at nozzle 9. Many spray nozzle assemblies also provided for a barrel knob 11 forward of the handle at assembly 9 where the water exits. This barrel knob 11 adjusts the spray pattern of the exiting water. The knob 11 adjusts the spray pattern from a narrow stream of highest pressure to a small target area useful for cleaning or for providing a large amount of water to a small area to a spray pattern having a wide mist of low pressure spray covering a large target area useful for moisturizing a number of delicate plants in the garden, for example.

[0021] Without my invention, the water hose trigger spray nozzle 2 with attached water hose 5 must be held by a hand by the user. My invention provides a convenient holder or holster-tool for placement therein of the water hose trigger nozzle assembly thereby freeing the hand for more useful work such as carrying something else or for holding onto a ladder.

[0022] Viewing FIG. 2, the first preferred embodiment of my invention is formed from a generally longitudinal, flat pliable material having permanent bends formed therein as disclosed herein. From the material, two backward belt bends or tabs 15,16 are provided along the upper portion of the material, a forward back bend 15 and a backward back bend 16, provide the holding means for the holster 1 to attach to a user's garment belt 17. These backward bend tabs 15 and 16 may be cut and shaped from the top portion of the material then bent to the back of the material to provide clips to engage a belt 17. The belt 17 normally surrounds the torso of the user through one or more belt loops, all shown here as 18. With this design, the holding means are independent of the dimensions of the belt 17. Thus, my holster-tool 1 can easily be attached to or removed from any size garment belt such as a narrow clothing belt or wider work belt designed to be attached to tool pouches and the like. The backward bend tabs 15 and 16 could equally attach directly to the upper ridge of any garment surrounding the user or the edges of pockets in a garment as well.

[0023] Rearward retaining channel 21 is formed from a material to retain the water hose trigger spray nozzle at the rearward portion 12 of the handle means 3, but below the water control level 7. The channel 21 is formed to approximately the size and the shape of the handle at the rearward portion of the handle 12 with a returned portion 26 sized sufficient to retain the spray nozzle handle 2 when seated in place.

[0024] A protective area 22 extending downward in the material provides a placement area for the trigger nozzle assembly 2 to rest against when the trigger nozzle assembly 2 is seated in place. The protective area 22 is sized to extend below the base of the trigger spray nozzle 2 and the water connection means 6. Forward retaining channel 20 is formed from the material to retain the forward portion of the water hose trigger spray nozzle 9. The forward portion of the nozzle 9 is conveniently placed thereto from above. The channel of the channel 20 is formed to approximately the size and shape of the forward portion of the water hose trigger spray nozzle 2 at 9, with a portion 25 sized sufficient to retain the spray nozzle 2 when seated in place.

[0025] In my other preferred embodiment of my invention as viewed in FIG. 3, the holster-tool 30 provides for the water hose spray nozzle 2 to be retained by my holster-tool 30 by the hose 5, near the base of the water hose spray nozzle 6. In this fashion, the objects of my invention are obtained irrespective of the size and shape and details of the water hose spray nozzle 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the water hose spray trigger nozzle is idealized without the particulars of the trigger nozzle 2. This feature enables the invention to achieve the objectives with a variety of water hose spray nozzles with or without flow and spray control features, levers or even the hose without a spray nozzle. As in embodiment 1 the holster-tool is formed from a generally longitudinal, flat pliable base material having a backward bend to form a tab 31 for grasping a belt 17 that is threaded through belt loops 18 to provide the holding means for the holster 30 to attach to a user's garment, here being a belt 17. Backward bend tab 31 may be cut and shaped from the top portion of the base material. With this feature, the attachming means is independent of the dimensions of the belt 17. Thus, my holster-tool 30 may easily be attached to or removed from any size belt such as a narrow garment belt or wider work belt designed to be attached to tool pouches and the like. The backward bend tab 31 may attach directly to the upper ridge of any garment surrounding the user or pocket as well.

[0026] With view of FIG. 4, lower hose retaining channel 32 is formed from the base material with an opening sufficiently sized to receive the water supply hose 5 as shown in FIG. 3. Upper guiding edge 33 assists positioning the hose 5 to be received into the channel 32.

[0027] The entire holster 1 or 30 may be formed as taught herein from a base of pliable material or other material which can be formed then retains its shape, such as thin copper plate. It may also be molded by standard injection method, molding or press-formed using standard technology.

[0028] While the above description contains many specifications, there should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible, for example, there are other means to attach the holsters to the belt, such as with more loops, or with only one bent piece that slips onto the belt or clothing of the user. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle assembly having a forward spray nozzle and a lower handle with a bottom water connector, the holster comprising: an elongated substantially flat central holder; a means, extending from the forward portion of the holder for retaining the forward spray nozzle; a means, extending from the rear portion of the holder for retaining a rear portion of the lower handle; a means for removable attaching said holder to a user's garment, said central holder extending downwardly below said connector when said water hose spray nozzle is placed within the holder.
 2. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 1 wherein said means for retaining the forward spray nozzle is an upwardly open channel.
 3. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 1 wherein said means for retaining the rear portion of the lower handle is a forwardly open channel.
 4. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 1 wherein said means for removable attaching said holder to the user's garment is a plurality of backward bent tabs at an upper portion of the holder to engage said garment.
 5. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 2 wherein said means for retaining the forward spray nozzle is an integral portion of the forward portion of the holder.
 6. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 3 wherein said means for retaining the rear portion of the central handle is an integral portion of the forward portion of the holder.
 7. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 4 wherein said plurality of backward tabs is an integral portion of the upper portion of the holder.
 8. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle assembly having a forward spray nozzle and a lower handle with a bottom water connector, the holster comprising: an elongated substantially flat central holder; a means, extending from the bottom portion of the holder for retaining the hose; a means for removable attaching said holder to a user's garment, said central holder extending downwardly to removably grasp said water hose, rearward of said water hose trigger spray nozzle assembly.
 9. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 1 wherein said means for retaining the hose is an upwardly open channel at the base of said holder.
 10. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 8 wherein said means for removable attaching said holder to the user's garment is a backward bent tab at an upper portion of the holder to engage said garment.
 11. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 9 wherein said upwardly open channel at the base of said holder is an integral portion of the bottom portion of the holder.
 12. A holster for a water hose trigger spray nozzle as claimed in 10 wherein said tab is an integral portion of the upper portion of the holder. 